Events November 26, 2017

Treat yourself and your loved ones to a Historic Chester Experience you will never forget!

Exciting holiday events, in-store events, holiday sales, and complimentary holiday treats will be offered at various merchant locations to enchant even the Grinchiest of bargain hunters.

Shop Small Business-Shop Chester and You could WIN during our 12 Days of Giveaways!

Every weekend from November 11th to December 17th, special "holiday helpers" will be strolling throughout Chester randomly giving away HCBA member-affiliated gift certificates and other prizes to unsuspecting shoppers. :)

Santa will be touching down here at Alstede Farms just in time for the perfect family portrait. He'll be checking his list while you happily check off your Christmas card photo opportunity from your list. Stop by his Country Christmas Corner to say hello and treat yourself to some warm cider or a seasonal ice cream while on the farm. Santa will be here on Friday 11/24, 11/25, 11/26 and every Sat. & Sun. until 12/24.

Events after November 26, 2017

Beginning December 2nd through December 16th, mischievious holiday fun is in full swing at The Streets of Chester Shopping Center (SOC).

*THE ELF ON THE SHELF PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT CONTEST*

Participating stores at The SOC will display an "Elf on the Shelf" toy for shoppers to HUNT, SNAP, & POST on the SOC's Facebook and Instagram pages. (All posts must include the hashtag: #SOCElf). THE TOP POST WITH THE MOST LIKES EACH WEEK WINS A $200 HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPREE TO THE SOC. Contest rules listed below.

In addition, the following amazingly talented holiday entertainers will be strolling throughout the SOC stores during the month of December:

*Manhattan Holiday Dickens Carolers(Sundays, December 3rd and 10th from 12:30pm-4:30pm)*Visit from Father Christmas(Saturday, December 2nd and 16th from 12:00pm-4:00pm)*S.C.3. DJ Outdoor Entertainment(Saturday, December 2nd, 16th and Sun. Dec. 17th from 12:00pm-4:00pm)and a *Visit from Santa's Head Elf(Sat. December 2nd from 11:00am-3:00pm, with balloons for the kids)

-------------------------------------------------------Entering the SOC Elf on the Shelf Contest is as easy as 1-2-3!

1) Post a photo of the Elf on the Shelf at participating The Streets of Chester Shopping Center stores on the official SOC Facebook and Instagram pages during the dates of December 2-16.

(Contest runs from 12:00 a.m on the start day to 11:59 p.m. on the final day of each contest week) - For Facebook: Post directly to the SOC Page Feed.- For Instagram: Tag The SOC Instagram Account @streetsofchestershoppingcenter

2) Include the contest hashtag #SOCElf on your submission and indicate in which store you found the elf. In addition, be sure to share or repost the official contest announcement on your own Facebook or Instagram accounts.

3) The photo with the most "LIKES" by 11:59 P.m. EST on the last day of each contest week will be our Grand Prize SHOPPING SPREE WINNER!

*To be eligible to win, all entries must "LIKE" or "FOLLOW" The Streets of Chester Shopping Center's Social Media Accounts. Likes must be authentic and not purchased through a third-party vendor. CONTEST RULES are posted on the SOC Facebook page: See left hand side panel under "Home, About, Notes"...select the "Elf on the Shelf" page.

The 30th Annual Tree Lighting and Visit with Santa will take place on Sunday Dec. 3rd at the Gazebo on Main Street in Chester.

The tree lighting marks the official start of the holiday season in Chester. Musical Entertainment will be provided by the West Morris Mendham HS Saxophone Quartet, Brass Choir,​ and chorus beginning at 5:00pm.

Santa arrives via firetruck courtesy of the Chester Volunteer Fire Company at approximately 5:20pm. Children are invited for individual visits with Santa to share their holiday wish lists. All from the community are welcome to join us for this free event.

These activities are sponsored by Chester Recreation with gratitude to the Chester Garden Club for running the event for 25 years. This is an evening of fun for all ages, not just those with little ones! Please come out and join your neighbors for a special way to start the holiday season. For more information please contact recreation@chesterborough.org

Come out for a festive breakfast and visit with Santa Claus to celebrate the start of the most joyous season. You will be greeted with hot apple cider at check in and then have a choice to ride the wagon to harvest hall or opt for the heated shuttle bus if more your speed. Event includes all-you-can-eat breakfast and a visit with Santa for your perfect photo opportunity (bring your camera!)

Sip your wine or drink (BYOB) while you create your very own version of this painting. No previous experience needed! We will teach you everything you need to know. Come early to meet and greet, find your seat, get your paint, apron & drink. Meet and greet is from 6:30-7pm. Painting is from 7 - 9:30pm The price includes all materials, instruction, aprons and a 16x20 take-home canvas! Alcohol consumption is permitted only for adults over 21. Have a great night out by yourself, with friends, or with a club or group. Private events also available; contact Jane at (908) 531-8433 or jane@mcartsworkshop.com

Calling all musicians, poets, fans! Artists of all genres are invited to step up to the stage at The Hive. Come on out and perform or just enjoy and watch the show! Spoken word artists, musicians, comedians, dancers or actors are welcome to create memorable performances. The atmosphere is very supportive. The focus is the stage and the person(s) performing. With the help of many talented artists and an inspiring atmosphere, performer feel free and safe to grow as artists and as people. Visit our Facebook page at CHESTER OPEN MIC NIGHTS to get updates and latest pictures. Questions? sarah@mcartsworkshop.com or 908-883-0159

Are you wondering how you are going to get all of your shopping and last minute errands done in a day? Drop your child off at the Hive located at the Chester Springs Shopping Center (next to Shop-Rite) for our Saturdays Drop 'n Shop program! Let the children have fun at the Hive while you get your errands done efficiently. We offer: Drop In Art (ages 4-12) Drop In Minecraft (ages 6-12) Cost: $5 per hour per child online ($8 at door); $10 per 2 hours online ($15 at door) Questions? Contact Jane at (908) 531-8433 or jane@mcartsworkshop.com

Sip your wine or drink (BYOB) while you create your very own version of this painting. No previous experience needed! We will teach you everything you need to know. Come early to meet and greet, find your seat, get your paint, apron & drink. Meet and greet is from 6:30-7pm. Painting is from 7 - 9:30pm The price includes all materials, instruction, aprons and a 16x20 take-home canvas! Alcohol consumption is permitted only for adults over 21. Have a great night out by yourself, with friends, or with a club or group. Private events also available; contact Jane at (908) 531-8433 or jane@mcartsworkshop.com

No holiday celebration is complete without the stunning sights and sounds of Manhattan Holiday Dickens' Carolers - An a cappella caroling quartet. Performing a variety of traditional and contemporary holiday classics in beautiful hand-made Victorian-style costuming, these festive troubadours will be performing throughout Hiistoric Downtown Chester (along Main Street) on Saturday, December16th, from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.

In the Spirit of a Dickens Tale, Father Christmas will be spreading holiday cheer throughout Chester!

Old Saint Nick will be strolling through the stores at The Streets of Chester Shopping Center on Saturday, December 16th (from 12pm-4pm), and then strolling through the shops in the Historic Downtown District on Main Street on Sunday, December 17th from 12pm-4pm.

THIS IS A GREAT 'SELFIE-PHOTO' OPPORTUNITY FOR THE KIDS. DON'T MISS IT!

S.C.3. Entertainment is Morris County's premier DJ and event company. Now you can see S.C.3. D.J. Chris LIVE at The Streets of Chester Shopping Center. Chris will spin some of the BEST Holiday Classic Tunes to renditions by new artists on Saturday, December 16th and Sunday, December 17th from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.

Be sure to stop by their Holiday Decorated Trailer to say hello, which will be located in the SOC's parking lot.

An amazing and spectacular artistic talent not to be missed, come and see how they create dazzling sculpted ice displays right in Downtown Chester on Saturday, December 16th, 11am-3pm.(Demonstration will be in front of Boehs Cabinet Shop, located at 85 Main Street in Chester)

Sculpted Ice Works is a full-service event ice company specializing in a variety of wholesale ice blocks, custom ice sculpture designs and events. Their experiences and expert carving team takes pride in each sculpture and event they produce and their goal is to continually exceed customer expectations.

On Saturday, December 16th, Volunteers from the non-profit organization "FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS OF ALLAMUCH" will be at the SOC (in the Plow & Hearth Store) offering gift wrapping services to customers in exchange for donations.

Volunteers will be wrapping from 11am to 7pm, so come on out, get all gifts beautifully wrapped and support this wonderful organization.

Are you wondering how you are going to get all of your shopping and last minute errands done in a day? Drop your child off at the Hive located at the Chester Springs Shopping Center (next to Shop-Rite) for our Saturdays Drop 'n Shop program! Let the children have fun at the Hive while you get your errands done efficiently. We offer: Drop In Art (ages 4-12) Drop In Minecraft (ages 6-12) Cost: $5 per hour per child online ($8 at door); $10 per 2 hours online ($15 at door) Questions? Contact Jane at (908) 531-8433 or jane@mcartsworkshop.com

Take time out to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year by visiting Alstede farms. Caroling and cider provide the perfect combination for savoring the season and creating treasured memories with your loved ones. Caroling provided by West Morris Central High School acapella groups, the Lorelei's and the Noteworthy's from 12-2. Enjoy complimentary cider during caroling.

Visit with Santa Claus while he is here on the farm from 11am-4pm, and stop into our charming farm store for that perfect last minute gift or to order your holiday pie. For more information about this or other events at Alstede Farms please call 908-879-7189 or visit alstedefarms.com